CVE-2002-1041 in AIX
Summary
by MITRE
Unknown vulnerability in DCE (1) SMIT panels and (2) configuration commands, possibly related to relative pathnames.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1041 represents a security flaw within the Distributed Computing Environment (DCE) framework, specifically affecting both System Management Interface Tool (SMIT) panels and configuration commands. This issue manifests in the handling of relative pathnames within the DCE system architecture, creating potential attack vectors that could compromise system integrity and security posture. The vulnerability affects the fundamental components of DCE's management interfaces, which are critical for system administration and configuration tasks across Unix and Linux environments. The presence of relative pathname handling issues within core system management tools creates opportunities for privilege escalation and unauthorized access to system resources.
The technical flaw stems from improper validation and processing of relative pathnames within the DCE SMIT panels and configuration command interfaces. When these management tools process user-supplied pathnames, they fail to adequately sanitize or normalize the input, allowing attackers to manipulate the path resolution mechanism. This weakness enables attackers to traverse directories and potentially access files or commands outside the intended scope of the management interface. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because SMIT panels provide privileged administrative access to system configuration parameters, making them attractive targets for exploitation. The relative pathname handling issue can be exploited through crafted input that leverages directory traversal techniques, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands or access sensitive system files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and data exposure. Attackers exploiting this weakness could gain unauthorized access to system configuration files, modify critical system parameters, or execute commands with elevated privileges. The vulnerability affects systems where DCE is implemented, particularly those running Unix-based operating systems that utilize the SMIT interface for system administration. The attack surface is broadened because the vulnerability exists in core system management interfaces that are frequently accessed by both legitimate administrators and potentially malicious actors. Organizations using DCE systems with affected SMIT panels face risks of unauthorized system modifications, data integrity compromise, and potential complete system takeover if proper mitigations are not implemented.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1041 should focus on input validation and path normalization within the DCE management interfaces. System administrators should implement strict path validation mechanisms that prevent relative pathname traversal in SMIT panels and configuration commands. The implementation of secure coding practices, particularly those addressing CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) and CWE-73 (External Control of File Name or Path), should be prioritized. Organizations should consider patching affected DCE implementations or implementing network segmentation to limit access to vulnerable SMIT interfaces. Additionally, monitoring and logging of SMIT panel usage should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1548.001 (Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism), highlighting the need for comprehensive security controls that address both system-level privilege escalation and administrative interface protection. Regular security assessments of DCE implementations should be conducted to identify similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other system management components.